Xabi Alonso has been warned against taking a massive risk with playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in El Clásico - and the stats back it up.
The former Liverpool star could make his return from injury against a familiar face at Barcelona, in England teammate Marcus Rashford.
Trent is back in training ahead of El Clásico
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Trent is back in training ahead of El ClásicoCredit: Getty
Trent has endured a frustrating stop-start to life in Spain after missing their last seven games with a hamstring issue.
The timing of which couldn't have been worse, with his fellow right-back Dani Carvajal soon suffering fitness issues of his own.
As such, Trent will be desperate to make his comeback as quickly as possible to stake a claim for a sustained run in Madrid's starting XI.
Prior to his injury, the 27-year-old had made just five appearances for Madrid, three lasting less than 10 minutes.
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However, European football broadcaster Andy Brassell has warned Alonso against rushing Trent back like he did Jude Bellingham.
The latter made his first start since undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer in last month's 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Bellingham understandably struggled against Diego Simeone's men, who have also made a habit of targeting him in recent derbies, with Atleti fans caught throwing bottles at him in March.
Trent, meanwhile, could be in for a similar rough treatment if he renews hostilities with ex-Manchester United star Rashford.
The defender once named his English compatriot as his toughest rival, with Rashford also enjoying the best spell of his Barca career.
The 27-year-old forward scored twice in a 6-1 Champions League win over Olympiacos to take his tally to five goals and a further five assists in his 11 appearances for the Blaugrana.
Alexander-Arnold has described Rashford as his toughest rival
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Alexander-Arnold has described Rashford as his toughest rival
Trent vs Rashford
“It would be quite an exciting matchup,” Brassell exclusively told talkSPORT.com ahead of El Clásico. “There's no doubt about it.
“I'm sure there's a big part of us that would love to see that.
“It would be a surprise to me if he did start El Clásico, having been out for such a long time. From what I gather, that's not especially the aim.
“The aim is for him to be completely fit for when they go to Liverpool in the Champions League. That's the plan.
“So we'll see if that's possible. And that's a good thing for him to aim at, because of the Dani Carvajal injury, depending on how quickly he's back, if you're Trent Alexander-Arnold, and I'm sure he's chomping at the bit to get back in the team anyway, you probably think that the quicker I can get back in the team, maybe the more I can settle in and the more I can try and make this position my own.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Marcus Rashford head-to-head stats
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The battle between the former Liverpool right-back and ex-Manchester United left-winger has been one to remember
Alexander-Arnold return
Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club, Liverpool, in June, with Madrid forking out £8.4million to have him for the Club World Cup.
He featured six times, but injury ensured he was powerless to prevent the club's 4-0 semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The right-back, who is without an assist this season, then came in for some brutal reviews from Spanish media after his LaLiga debut.
To add insult to injury, he was dropped by England manager Thomas Tuchel and told his international career could even be over.
Trent is yet to start an away match in LaLiga, while he hasn't completed a full 90-minutes under Alonso this season.
Ironically, Trent's only goal against Rashford was at Aston Villa after his strike at Old Trafford was ruled out by VAR
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Ironically, Trent's only goal against Rashford was at Aston Villa after his strike at Old Trafford was ruled out by VARCredit: AFP
Rashford often wins the personal battle, but Trent's team mostly win the war
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Rashford often wins the personal battle, but Trent's team mostly win the warCredit: Getty
Brassell added: “I don't think it's realistic, given Carvajal's defensive qualities, his leadership qualities, and of course, the support he enjoys from the local media, to expect Trent Alexander-Arnold to play every game.
“And maybe it shouldn't be because he still needs to settle. Real Madrid still need to settle, even though they're top of the table.
“They are only one defeat away from a crisis again, because that's Real Madrid. That's life at Real Madrid for you.
“I think the result of this Clasico is maybe even more important to Real Madrid than it is to Barcelona, given that Xabi Alonso is bedding in something new.
“I think Hansi Flick could ride out a defeat easily. Obviously, he wouldn't like to. But I think there's an opportunity for Real Madrid.
“When you look at the injuries that Barcelona have at the moment, and it remains to be seen who's going to be fit for the weekend, Real Madrid have found a result-based rhythm again since they lost to Atletico. But they have to prove they can do it against elite opposition, because you could argue Atletico were the first really good team they played this season, and they came up incredibly short.
Trent has been desperate to make his return from injury
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Trent has been desperate to make his return from injuryCredit: Getty
Fermin Lopez and Marcus Rashford celebrate Barcelona's goal against Olympiacos.
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Rashford has shown signs of his best form on loan at BarcaCredit: Getty
“Now, given that they're still trying to find their balance defensively, I think throwing in Trent Alexander-Arnold from the start in El Clásico, even if he was fit, would be a little bit irresponsible and reckless.
“And I wonder if Xabi Alonso has looked at how Bellingham struggled in that game against Atletico and thought, 'Yeah, that probably won't be a great idea to do that.'
“However much belief he has in Trent Alexander-Arnold, the fact is they're playing with this sort of patched-up defence at the moment.
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“Of course, Getafe at the weekend, on Sunday night, they started with David Alaba in the first half, they took him off at half time and stuck on Raul Asensio, been playing with [Federico] Valverde right back. Everything's a little bit stretched.
“So to stick him into a huge game with quite an unfamiliar defence, and Marcus Rashford's in decent form at the moment, that's a good point too, yeah, I think it'd be a massive risk.”